Bold for Tristan and Italics for Rory


Hey, where did you want to go this summer?

This summer?

Yeah, sorry I'm messing this up. Would you like to go on summer vacation with me?

Just us? When?

Yes, and August?

Of course, I'd love to go with you. Would Europe be too cliche? It's not that long since I did the tour with Poppy and that covered most of North America. How long?

No, I'm good with Europe. I was thinking about three weeks. Any specific country or would you like to visit two or three of them?

Italy, Switzerland and France? Or maybe Austria or Czechia instead of France?

I like the idea of France. Monaco in summer appeals to me. Do you want me to plan it and tell you, or would you like to help plan stops? Also fly around or drive around? You picked three countries that border each other?

You can plan, I trust you, but how about you let me see the final itinerary before you book anything? If time allows I'm happy to drive between places but if we are short for time, I'm good with flying.


"I can't get over how dirty Paris was. I'm so disappointed," Rory said, as they prepared to leave their hotel room.

"I don't think I realized how dirty it was until we got to Annecy. Now I can't decide if it was actually dirty or if it is just the difference from big city to small town."

"Tristan, I live in New York. If it seems dirty to me. It's just dirty." Rory said as they exited the hotel, hand in hand, fingers loosely intertwined. "I can't get over how quaint everything is here. I feel like I am in a story book."

"I knew it had canals and things going through the town but I didn't expect to like it this much," Tristan said, as they started walking along the banks of one of the canals, looking at the pastel colored houses. "I wish we were here for more than one night."

"I know, but we had no way of knowing we would like it here so much. Let's head towards the Palais de l'Île."

"Sure, I think we timed it so the museum should be open. I know it's only some days during summer, and that's what you are hoping for." Tristan said, smiling down at her before pulling her in for a swift kiss.


"Going to that bakery- sorry boulangerie- and getting things to have a picnic here in the park was the best idea." Rory said, looking around. The park overlooked the lake, with the mountains in the background. "Everything is just so pretty, it is almost inspiring me to start writing."

"You should take some notes when we go back to the room if you are feeling inspired. I won't mind."

"No, it's okay. It's just a flightful fancy, not a real goal."

"Are you sure? I think you could write an awesome novel. You are a natural storyteller. If you ever want to, just know I support you."

"Thank you. Do you want to take a walk, and cross over to that other park, see what the views are like from the other side of the lake?"

"Yes, you read my mind." Tristan said, brushing a loose tendril of hair out of her eyes, before pulling her to her feet. With a quick check to make sure they had picked up all their stuff, and they were on their way.

"This view is amazing," Rory said, stopping on the bridge. Tristan stopped behind her and wrapped his arms around her, leaning his chin on her head.

"Did you know the legend of this bridge?"

"No?" Rory answered, tipping her head back to look at him.

"It's said that if a couple kiss on this bridge, they will be united forever." Tristan answered, staring deep into her eyes.

"And you believe the myth?" Rory asked shyly.

"I don't think it would be any harm to try it," Tristan said, turning Rory in his arms. "Rory Gilmore, I have been infatuated with you since I was fifteen. Now that I am getting a real opportunity, I have realized that it was not time wasted. You were worth every minute. You are more amazing than I ever dreamed. I love you Rory, and if I got to spend the rest of my days with you, I would be a very happy man."

Rory looked up at Tristan with tears in her eyes before she pulled his head down to meet hers in a passionate kiss. "I love you too," she whispered breathlessly as she pulled away, only for Tristan to pull her tightly back into his arms and kiss her until neither could catch their breath.


"I can't believe we didn't try and make it during opera season," Rory said to Tristan as they stood gazing up at the Monte Carlo Opera house.

"Yes, that was totally unintentional," Tristan stated, rolling his eyes, only for Rory to swat at him with their joined hands. "I'll make you a deal, next time we come back we will try and time it for Opera season and the Grand Prix."

"Tristan, you know that the Opera closes a month before the Grand Prix."

"So? We can tour other places in the middle and come back for the Grand Prix."

"We can, can we?" Rory said, looking up at him with a teasing smile.

"Yep, and you shall admit that you are just as excited by the idea as I am." Tristan smirked. "Should we go back to the room to get ready for tonight?" They were going for supper and to the casino, so he knew it would take longer than normal for Rory to get ready.

"We probably should. It wouldn't do to show up underdressed tonight," Rory said with an eye roll, she was not looking forward to having to get dolled up, but she was hoping it would be worth it.


"Where do you want to start?" Tristan asked Rory as he led her into the casino.

"French Roulette?" Rory asked, looking around trying to take everything in at once. "It all seems so much classier, more refined than Vegas."

"True, but it's the same as Vegas, the house nearly always wins." Tristan stated pragmatically.

"Come on, let's play," she said, giving him a gentle tug towards the tables. "Now, how do we play this one, versus English Roulette?"

"We can watch for a minute and see what we pick up, before we just bet on random numbers?"

"Okay, then can we play blackjack? Oh and CRAPS?" Rory asked, excitement shining in her eyes as she looked around.

"Sure, at least I am more familiar with them." Tristan said, smiling indulgently down at his girlfriend, knowing that they both had allocated a budget to gamble, that they were willing to lose.


"Poppy will never believe I did that without complaining," Rory said, as they walked back from the gondola towards their rental car.

"The void?" Tristan asked.

"Yep."

"Why? You have done much scarier things?"

"I know, but before we left she made a comment about me and glaciers and mountains, so I don't think she will expect us to have done everything we have done in the past few days in Chamonix."

"Well I have photographic evidence of it all babe."

"Now, let's get a move on, I have a surprise planned for the next stop."


"Martigny? I thought our next stop was Lucerne?" Rory asked, as Tristan took an unexpected turn.

"Just wait. It will be worth it," he said smugly.

"Barryland?" she asked again as he pulled into a parking lot.

"Yes."

"What is this place?" Rory asked, looking around for something to help her identify the building, but her french wasn't quite up to scratch.

"Come on. You will love it," Tristan said, opening her door, and helping her out.

"What's that noise?" Rory asked as they walked into the building, trying to place it, she was looking for the source of the noise so hard she missed the clues that were all over.

"Oh my God, is that?" Rory started, having finally spotted what she was looking for through the glass wall. "Is this a building full of puppies?"

"Well, not only puppies," Tristan said with a smirk, he was loving the excited look on her face, glad he was the one who put it there. "There are fully grown dogs here as well. Welcome to Barryland, it's a St Bernard Museum."

"Tell me we get to play with the puppies?" Rory asked, grasping his arms and bouncing excitedly.

"I'm pretty sure we can, I know we will take the fully grown ones with us on a hike later, but I think the tickets I purchased allow us into the puppy pen."

"Let's go!" Rory squealed, dragging Tristan towards the puppies.